Page 60 of Unwilling Wolf

“Don’t like being called out, don’t be an ass.”

“Hey, remember that one time you kneed Anna Jennings in the vagina?”

“I would do it again, but harder. Bet you can hear the truth in my voice when I say that, can’t you, werewolf?”

Garret pursed his lips against a smile and shook his head, looking determined not to engage in this discussion further.

Eliza leaned closer to him and murmured, “I’ll fight all of your mistresses.”

“Enough,” he drawled out, and she laughed.

She couldn’t help herself. She could tell there was a part of him that was amused by her sassiness.

“I brought you a biscuit,” he muttered, handing her the cloth-wrapped breakfast.

“Thank you,” she said sweetly as she unwrapped it.

“I figured I should feed you before we get to town so you don’t aim your attitude at any unsuspecting strangers,” he muttered.

Eliza was too busy—taking the biggest possible bite that she could manage out of the first biscuit—to respond to his insults. Without a word, she put the biscuit in front of his face for a bite.

He lurched back, looked at it, glared at her, and then leaned forward and took an enormous bite without a word.

She pulled it back to her own mouth and ate another bite, and they ate the next three biscuits like that in silence.

She had no idea if they were friend or foe right now, but she was getting strangely used to their animosity.

If he was going to be hot and cold, and hot and cold, well, it was up to her to whine about it or get used to hot and cold.

After breakfast, she asked, “Can I hold the reins?”

Eyebrows arched, Garret said, “You want to learn to drive ’em?”

“Well, why not? What if I need to drive the wagon someday, or run over Anna Jennings in the middle of town, and I don’t know how to do it? That’s on you for not teaching me.”

“God, you have such a problem with her.” But he handed the mules over, and she leaned forward in the creaking seat.

“Don’t clench the reins. Let them be loose and manageable in your hands. It’s kind of like riding Buck,” he explained. “Your saddle’s just further back and you’re commanding two horses instead of one. Turn slowly with the curve in the road…Jesus, woman!” he exclaimed as she went off the road and they bounced around. “Slowly!”

She pulled the leather strip in her left hand, but not enough.

“More,” he encouraged. “You won’t break them. The one on the right will test you if he thinks you’re soft.” He relaxed into the jouncing chair and propped his boots up on the footboard.

She thought he would take the reins back when they pulled onto Main Street, but he let her drive right up to the general store, guiding her the whole way on how to park. Then he hopped out and jogged over to her side of the wagon.

“Here, let me.” He reached for her waist and lifted her gently to the ground. His strong hands stayed firmly on her hips, and she rested her hands on his chest.

He was so handsome. It seemed as if the noise from the town faded to nothing when she looked into his eyes.

“What are you starin’ at?” he asked, but there was a crooked smile clinging to his lips.

“Somethin’ ugly.”

He threw back his head and bellowed a laugh. He leaned forward and whispered against her ear. “You’re a liar.”

She shoved him away and teased, “Takes one to know one.”

Someone behind her whistled, breaking the moment. “I got a room at the Brass Buckle if you two want it.” Burke was headed their way with a huge smile on his face.

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